Last week, 90 soccer players got a better idea of how soccer will be in college during Emory’s seventh annual Elite Residential Camp.

From July 7 to 9, players from more than just the metro area received instruction from coaches at Emory, Oglethorpe, Memphis, VCU, Berry and Huntingdon.

“This camp is definitely coached at an elite level,” Emory soccer coach Sonny Travis said. “The players are at a higher level. We try to make sure that those guys who come to us can play and are not beginners. We advertise it as a college prospect camp. Some of them have a strong interest in Emory and others may just want to be seen by the other colleges.”

The participants such as St. Pius rising junior Nicholas Stigaard had a training session on offense and defense with one of the coaches during the first two days, and then a match afterwards with more evaluation.

“We learned some defense and how to attack,” said the forward Stigaard, who worked with the Berry College coach the most.

“Now, they understand what it takes to play at the next level,” Travis said.

Just like any other camp, a number of awards were given to the players in attendance. Center midfielder Cian Kennedy, who made the trip from overseas, won the Most Outstanding Player award.

“I’m actually delighted especially coming all this way from Ireland,” Kennedy said. “I’m really happy. I didn’t think I would win it because there are so many great players here. The standard was so high.”

Kennedy displayed his skills during the championship games and all-star game, which showcased the top 30 players in the camp.

“I really came to try and get recruited to Emory,” said Kennedy, who is a rising senior. “I wanted to be exposed to the college scene and see what it is like.”

“The all-star game is where a lot of the recruiting is done and the college coaches can see them at the best level,” Travis said. “It is a big recruiting tool for us. Six of our freshman from last year’s team attended the Elite last summer.”

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